How to see Maelifell Volcano – Iceland’s stunning green volcano

The green, cone-shaped mountain of Maelifell Volcano is one of the most impressive sights in Iceland, yet remains under-visited. Here’s a complete guide to how to get there and what to do.

Maelifell Volcano is one of the most iconic sights in Iceland’s Highlands. A conical moss-covered shape in luminescent green, it rises above an expanse of black sands known as Maelifellsandur.

Lured by the beautiful isolation and bold contrast of colours, production crews have used this location for shooting Noah and Game of Thrones.

Maelifell Volcano is just over an hour from our Ring Road Itinerary, but getting here requires travelling on F-roads, which can only be done in a 4×4 vehicle.

F-roads come in all shapes and sizes and often require tricky river crossings, but fortunately, there are ways to get to Maelifell that are not that difficult.  

Here’s all you need to know about getting to Maelifell Volcano by self-driving or joining a tour.

We have included a map, information about road conditions and river crossings, and suggestions on where to stay. We have also included details of an exhilarating hike with breathtaking views that you shouldn’t miss.  

WHERE IS MAELIFELL VOLCANO?

Maelifell Volcano is in the Iceland Highlands, just northeast of the massive Mýrdalsjökull Glacier Park. The glacier once covered the 791-metre-high cone of Maelifell, but the mountain was revealed as the ice retreated at the end of the last Ice Age.

In Icelandic, maelifell means measuring hill. In earlier times, locals used these distinctive-looking mountains to help them navigate around the country.

Nine mountains are named Maelifell in Iceland, but the one in Mýrdalsjökull Glacier Park is the most striking. It’s one of our favourite places in the country.

HOW TO GET TO MAELIFELL VOLCANO

To get to Maelifell, you must take a mountain road known as F-roads. F-roads are unpaved tracks that come in all shapes and sizes and require a 4×4.

Some F-roads are relatively easy gravel tracks; others involve driving through sand, navigating rocky tracks, and crossing rivers.

There are three different routes for getting to Maelifell.

• F210 From the West
• F210 From the East
• F232 From the South

Each F-road presents its challenges, but one of the above routes is not too difficult, even for beginner 4×4 drivers.

Our guide to the F-roads in Iceland covers essential information you need to know before driving on these roads.

1 / F210 FROM THE WEST – TOURS RECOMMENDED

The F210 from the west is the most challenging route to Maelifell. It involves driving a long, rough road with multiple tricky river crossings.

In normal conditions, it is advised to use a large 4×4 vehicle with an experienced driver to cross the deep rivers. We hired a medium-sized 4×4, so this route was not an option for us. However, it’s an excellent option for a super jeep tour.

MAELIFELL VOLCANO TOUR

South Coast Adventures has just started offering a Private Guided tour in a modified super jeep (a vehicle with massive wheels, very high clearance, and a snorkel to protect the engine) for up to four people.

It passes through some of the most dramatic scenery in the highlands and removes the stress of crossing big rivers or slippery sands.

It also allows you to see sights you could never reach on your own, such as the top of Hekla Volcano. The tour lasts 8 hours and leaves from Brú Base Camp near Thórsmörk.

2 / F210 FROM THE EAST – SELF-DRIVE POSSIBLE

The F210 from the east is more straightforward than the west, but one large river crossing still needs to be negotiated. (If you can’t cross, don’t worry. A short hike brings you to fine views of Maelifell).

This route starts on the 208 near the church in Grafarkirkja. The road is not too long or too rough. It steadily climbs up and down hills, offering fantastic views over green mountains and glacial rivers. There are a couple of (usually) small river crossings to negotiate, but nothing too tricky.

However, after about 1 hour, there is a difficult crossing at the Hólmsá River.

The river is wide and deep and in normal conditions requires a large 4×4 with an experienced driver. If you know what you are doing and have the right vehicle, you can attempt the crossing. After this crossing, you can make your way over the black sands of Maelifellsandur to the base of Maelifell volcano.

The good news is that you don’t need to cross the Hólmsa River to get great views of Maelifell. Instead, as you reach the river, turn right, follow the tracks along the eastern bank, and cross over a small tributary (rather than the main Hólmsa River). The road then rises up a hill to a turning circle where you can park.

From the parking spot, it’s a 5-minute walk uphill to incredible views of Maelifell. Continue for another 45 minutes to the summit of Rauðibotn crater, where you can take 360-degree views of the entire area surrounding Maelifell. Instructions and map are at the end of this post.

The drive to the parking spot from the F208/210 junction takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and can be done in any size 4WD.

Top Tip | Axlafoss Detour // On the way to Maelifell Volcano using the F210 East, take the short detour down a side track to Axlafoss, a lovely waterfall well worth stopping for. The exact location is marked on the map below.

Combine the drive and the waterfall with the hike to the colourful Rauðibotn crater, and it’s an excellent, adventurous day out in Iceland.

Allow about 5 to 6 hours for the whole adventure. Details of the Rauðibotn hike are at the bottom of this guide.

3 / F232 FROM THE SOUTH – EASIEST SELF-DRIVE ROUTE

The easiest way to drive to the base of the Maelifell Volcano is on the F232. It leaves the 209 near Hrífunes and heads up the west side of the glacial valley of the Hólmsá River.

Looking at a map, it appears a forbidding prospect. Winding its way under the tongues of Mýrdalsjökull glacier and back and forth across the valley floor, there are numerous rivers to cross and sands to negotiate. But it’s much easier than it looks. 

The three largest rivers (Leira, Jökullvisl, and Bláfellsá) have all been bridged, and the road (when we took it) was in pretty good condition. There are several small tributaries to cross, but they should not present any issues in normal conditions. There are only two challenges to overcome.

After about 1 hour and 15 minutes, the F232 crosses Bláfjallakvisl River, presenting the first challenge. Perched on top of Bláfjallafoss waterfall, it is an exciting river crossing with the cascade dropping away on your left-hand side.

Under normal conditions, it is a medium-difficulty river crossing, and you should be able to cross it in a medium-sized 4×4. Follow the tips for river crossings in our F-roads in Iceland guide.

It’s another 15 minutes from the river crossing on the F232 before it joins the F210 (on the west side of the problematic Hólmsá river crossing). Turn left and drive for 10 minutes over the black sands of the Maelifellsandur to Maelifell.

This section presents the 2^nd challenge: the sand can get boggy in wet conditions, so only go as far as you feel comfortable. If you need to turn around, do so carefully where you can see a compacted pull-off.

We completed this there-and-back journey on a relatively dry day in just over 3 hours and 30 minutes and did not have a problem in our medium-sized 4×4 (Suzuki Vitara).

WHICH IS BETTER – F210 EAST or F232?

The F232 is easier to drive and more likely to get you to the base of Maeilifell.

However, the F210 from the East is a more enjoyable drive. The views from the road are better, and the hike to Rauðibotn crater is excellent. It was one of our favourite things to do in Iceland.

But there’s no need to choose; if you set off early, you can finish both in one day.

Start with the F232 and make your way to the base of Maelifell. Then check out the Hólmsá River crossing. If you have a big enough 4×4 and feel confident, you can complete an excellent loop.

If not, you still have time to return to the 209, head up the 208 and F210 on the other side, and complete the Rauðibotn hike in the late afternoon.  

MAP – HOW TO GET TO MAELIFELL VOLCANO

The below map shows the two routes we took to get to Maelifell. The F210 from the east is purple, and the F232 is brown. The parking for the hike to Rauðibotn and the hike itself are marked in red.

There are no gas stations on either of the roads. The nearest gas stations are on the Ring Road in the towns of Vik and Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Be sure to fill up at either of these before you head into the highlands. There is enough to think about without worrying you might run out of gas.

There are also no shops or supplies on either road. Take everything you need with you including food, water, and warm clothes. Be sure to read our F-roads in Iceland post before setting off and our guide to planning your Iceland trip for more tips.

RAUÐIBOTN HIKE

If you take the F210 from the east you have the option of hiking to the summit of Rauðibotn. This colourful volcano is not only attractive in its own right; it also offers great views across the black sands to Maelifell.

Backed by Mýrdalsjökull glacier, and surrounded by glacial rivers cutting a swathe between the green mountains, the hike to Rauðibotn is one of the best things to do in Iceland.

The hike to the crater’s summit takes about 45 minutes and ascends about 200 metres. A couple of tyre tracks leave the parking spot at the turning circle and head over a low hill. You can follow these, but there is a better, indistinct path that contours around the edge of the hill and provides better views.

A rough guide to the route is included on the map above, but for a more exact path download the Maps.me app and save Iceland to your offline maps. The trail is shown on the map and you can track your progress as you hike. Just make sure you download the app and the Iceland country map while you have data before you leave in the morning.

After contouring the hill, the trail drops to the east bank of a small river, before climbing up and then around Rauðibotn crater. The deep red colours of the crater contrast with the azure blue lake at the bottom and the views from its 619-metre summit are excellent.

Head back the way you came or spend more time exploring the area by walking into the crater and following another track up to Hólmsárfossar Lake – which might require leaping over a couple of gushing streams.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR MAELIFELL VOLCANO

Taking a 4×4 to explore Iceland’s Highlands is a great adventure. However, these are remote and desolate places, so you need to book accommodation well in advance. Here are a couple of places we highly recommend. For more, please read our guide on where to stay in Iceland.

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MORE REMOTE ICELAND GUIDES

• All you need to know about driving the F-roads in Iceland.
• Explore the stunning Iceland highlands and get off the tourist trail.
• Enjoy breath-taking scenery on these incredible Landmannalaugar hikes.
• Test yourself on this challenging drive to Askja.
• Take an easy F-road to magical Kerlingarfjöll.
• Explore the Valley of the Gods with our complete guide to Thórsmörk.
• See the under-visited green volcano of Maelifell.
• Make sure you visit the best viewpoints at Stuðlagil Canyon.
• Get off the beaten track and see the sights of the Westfjords.
• We have 6 epic Iceland itineraries to help you plan your trip.
• Looking for remote accommodation? Here’s where to stay in Iceland.